ACANTHOLIMON (from akanthos, a spine, and limon, sea lavender). ORD. Plantagineæ. Dwarf hardy tufted evergreen plants, distinguished from allied genera in having sharp-pointed rigid leaves. They are of rather slow growth, thriving best in a sandy soil, and sunny position, on rockwork more particularly. The flowers are similar to Statice and Armeria. Increased by seeds (which germinate slowly), sown carefully on a warm but rather shaded border, and transplanted when large enough to handle; or by cuttings and very carefully made divisions. The cuttings should be made in late summer, and placed in a frame, to remain there during the winter.
A. glumaceum (prickly).* fl. rose, spicate, about ½in. across, six to eight in a spikelet. Summer. l. densely packed and sharply pointed with spines. h. 6in. Armenia, 1851. Very compact and distinct. SYN. Statice Ararati.
A. Kotschyi (Kotschy's). fl. white. A good species, but very rarely seen in British gardens.
FIG. 7. ACANTHOLIMON VENUSTUM.
A. venustum (charming).* fl. rose, spicate, from twelve to twenty in each spike. Summer. l. broader than in the last, and glaucous. h. 6in. or 8in. Cilicia, 1873. A rare and handsome alpine. Larger than the preceding. See Fig. 7.
ACANTHOPHOENIX (from akantha, a spine, and phoinix, the Date Palm). ORD. Palmæ. A very elegant stove palm, differing from Areca principally in habit, and requiring a light sandy soil and a summer temperature of 65deg. to 80deg., winter 55deg. to 65deg. Increased by seeds only; these germinate best in a moist bottom heat, and a well decomposed compost of one part loam, one of peat, one of leaf mould, and the remainder of sand. They may remain in this soil for two or three years.
A. crinita (hairy).* fl. spirally arranged, in threes, the central one being female. l. the fronds are arched, broadly ovate in outline, pectinately pinnate in division, with long linear acuminate segments, paler beneath. The stem is densely armed with black, needle-shaped spines, and much swollen towards the base. Seychelles, 1868.
ACANTHORHIZA (from akantha, a spine, and rhiza, a root). ORD. Palmæ. A small genus of stove palms, differing from Trithrinax by the aërial roots of the trunk hardening into spines (which are horizontal or pointed upwards), and by the blade of the leaf being divided down to the petiole. They delight in a rich loamy soil, and are propagated by seeds, in a moist, sweet hotbed, in spring.
A. aculeata (spiny).* l. orbicular, palmately slit into numerous linear-lanceolate, glabrous segments, deep-green above, silvery beneath; petioles slender; the trunk is covered with a network of branching spines. Mexico, 1879. SYN. Chamærops stauracantha.
A. Wallisii (Wallis's).* A recent introduction from tropical America, and not yet much cultivated; it is a tall palm with orbicular palmate leaves.
A. Warzcewiczii (Warzcewicz's).* This differs from the preceding species by its more irregularly divided leaf blade, which is white below. Tropical America.
ACANTHOSTACHYUM (from akanthos, a spine, and stachys, a spike). ORD. Bromeliaceæ. A monotypic genus of stove evergreen herbaceous plants; of easy culture in a compost of equal parts sand, decayed wood, and rotten leaves. Propagated by suckers, which strike readily in bottom heat.